RE: PH Buying Guide: Noble M12
Monday 8th August 2011
Lee Noble had been knocking on the door of greatness for some time when he launched the M12 GTO at the start of 2001. The previous M10 showed enormous promise as a driver's car, but awkward looks always held it back. Before that, Noble had been involved with the design of the Ultima and Ascari, but it was the M12 that propelled him through the doors of greatness and into the public eye.
Pretty and purposeful, the M12 arrived as a closed two-door coupe rather than the open-top of the M10. A 2.5-litre Ford V6 from the Mondeo ST200 was mid-mounted and had two Garret T25 turbochargers bolted on for good measure to produce 310bhp. That gives a power-to-weight ratio of 316bhp per tone, just shy of a contemporary Porsche 911 GT2's 317bhp per tone, so it's clear from a performance perspective the M12 aimed to mix with the best sports cars in the world.
The M12 evolved into the GTO-3 and 3R and eventually the M400, all offering amazing performance and handling for the price. A stillborn GTC convertible was shown at the 2002 British Motor Show and priced at £48,950, but it was dropped from the line-up before any were sold. Noble even went as far as detuning the 3.0-litre V6 engine to 290bhp by switching to one turbocharger, which also helped free up luggage space in the engine bay.
Noble M12 Buying Guide Index:
PH Buying Guide: Noble M12
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Unfazed by such competition, Noble also rocked the performance car establishment with the M12's price of £45,950. When a standard Porsche 911 cost around £60,000, the M12 was a bargain that could see off 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds.
Although no longer available new in the UK, the Noble M400 lives on the USA under the Rossion banner. Called the Q1, it continues to use a 450bhp 3.0-litre Ford V6 engine, but the car is sold with the engine supplied separately to avoid US type approval regulations. The upside is it means parts supply for existing Noble owners is excellent and plenty of modifications to improve the car have been developed in the USA, where many owners race their Q1s.
(Pics by Brett Fraser, car for photography supplied by Kerridges)
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Discussion
Came soooooooooo close to buying one earlier this year. Went for the Tuscan instead as I fancied an open top for the summer. Can see me taking another look in 6 months or so, particularly as the prices of the best ones seem to be firming up. The only thing that puts me off is their relative fragility (yes, even compared to a TVR). GTO 3R for me, the M400 is simply bonkers.
I drove one of the 2.5s at a supercar experience day at Mallory Park back when they were pretty new. Up against a contemporary 911, Maser 3200, Jag XKR, Lambo Diablo and Dodge Viper, the Noble just blew them all into the weeds from my point of view - it was just practically telepathic in its responsiveness and controlability.
If other considerations hadn't got in the way in the meantime, I'm sure I'd be driving one now...
If other considerations hadn't got in the way in the meantime, I'm sure I'd be driving one now...
I saw these on Kerridge's stand yesterday at Helmingham Hall Car Classic and Sports Car Show. There were a couple of M12's on display, but all closed up. Innocently one man opened the drivers door of a black one, and immediately set the alarm off.
I watched.
The man from Kerridge's strode over, and I thought he'd invite the man to have a look - after all, it was a classic and sports car show and poeple show interest in classic and sports cars such as this.
Not at all - he just glowered at the man who opened the car, alarmed the car again and stalked back to his place on his stand.
Was I impressed ? What do you think ??
I watched.
The man from Kerridge's strode over, and I thought he'd invite the man to have a look - after all, it was a classic and sports car show and poeple show interest in classic and sports cars such as this.
Not at all - he just glowered at the man who opened the car, alarmed the car again and stalked back to his place on his stand.
Was I impressed ? What do you think ??
Chapppers said:
I'd say a standard 2.5 with the desirable diff and track sump modifications would be the best choice for anyone considering one. Make sure it's got between 30,000-40,000 miles on it to make sure it's been run in properly too...
You're not thinking of selling yours are you?B.J.W said:
GTO 3R for me, the M400 is simply bonkers.
There are some pretty bonkers 3Rs too. 
Nagra said:
The things that put me off these is the lack of luggage space and the interior.....could not spend long looking at that dash!
It's surprising how quickly you get used to it - before I got a sensible car, I regularly went to shops such as B&Q in one, and returned with radiators etc in it, much to the amusement of people watching in the car park. There's a special luggage set which makes trips a bit easier too.Don Gilham said:
The man from Kerridge's strode over, and I thought he'd invite the man to have a look - after all, it was a classic and sports car show and poeple show interest in classic and sports cars such as this.
Not at all - he just glowered at the man who opened the car, alarmed the car again and stalked back to his place on his stand.
Assholery like that suggests they don't have a clue why you'd goto a show like that in the first place.Not at all - he just glowered at the man who opened the car, alarmed the car again and stalked back to his place on his stand.
It's the classic "it might look like a spotty kid now but he'll be back in 5 years and buying something expensive" situation - every salesman should understand that - it's about more than sitting there waiting for your job to come to you.
Odd this should come up because I looked out of the window yesterday and an M12/M400 (can't tell em apart!?) went past - BRIGHT YELLOW - can't say I've ever seen one before and definately not driving past the house!!
johnpeat said:
Odd this should come up because I looked out of the window yesterday and an M12/M400 (can't tell em apart!?) went past - BRIGHT YELLOW - can't say I've ever seen one before and definately not driving past the house!!
Ooo I wonder who that is as the only yellow one I'm aware of is in France. I hope they're a PHer as I'd like some details so I can update the register.
Daisy Duke said:
Chapppers said:
I'd say a standard 2.5 with the desirable diff and track sump modifications would be the best choice for anyone considering one. Make sure it's got between 30,000-40,000 miles on it to make sure it's been run in properly too...
You're not thinking of selling yours are you?Crazy Don said:
I find it a bit off putting that a car of that performance has a habit of shearing off its wheel nuts, doesnt inspire confidence!!! They seem very fragile but have you ever seen an original Europa stripped down, thats scary. Would still love to own one not fussed which model.
Where on earth did you get that from? I've never heard that before! Do you mean hub nuts? They can come loose if not checked regularly and torqued properly, or can be replaced with Porsche Boxster hub nuts which are much much better.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff